Søren Hoff Brøndum: A North Jutlander’s Sustainability Projects in the Ecuadorian Rainforest

What compels a young man from North Jutland to journey to Ecuador 27 times? And how does he bring sustainability to remote areas untouched by major aid organisations? 

This week’s article provides the answers as we interview a true visionary. His name is Søren Hoff Brøndum. By day, he works as a forest ranger in Frederikshavn, but since his first trip to Ecuador as a young man, he has returned to the South American country more than 27 times.

This is the story of passion, chance, and love that has led to the reforestation of 200 hectares and the development of sustainability initiatives deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest.

This is article 1 of 2 about Søren Hoff Brøndum.

Profile:

• Søren Hoff Brøndum
• Born on 27 December 1976 
• Resides in Grindsted, Denmark, with his wife and two children
• Works as a forest ranger in Frederikshavn Municipality 
• Forestry graduate specialising in tropical forestry

The Story Begins 27 Years and 10,000 Kilometres Away

Before diving into this extraordinary adventure, let’s rewind to 1996. 

Søren Hoff Brøndum was travelling through the Amazon as a volunteer. His work spanned turtle conservation and forestry across Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru, and, of course, Ecuador – where our story unfolds.

In the Amazon, Søren felt a surge of inspiration and curiosity. As he reflects:

“On many of the projects I encountered, it was everyone except the locals who profited. The locals were often used as a tourist draw for other backpackers like me, but the real financial benefits went to people from the USA or big cities.”

This experience left a profound mark on him. Concurrently, he began learning Spanish and building connections with the local communities.

So, when it came time to write his bachelor thesis at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (Landbohøjskolen), while his classmates headed to the library, Søren Hoff Brøndum boarded a plane to South America.

The Meeting That Changed Everything

When Søren Hoff Brøndum’s plane touched down in Ecuador, he met Ernesto, a Shuar Indian from a small Amazon village where he cultivates mahogany. This encounter would profoundly alter Søren’s life.

“Mahogany was, and still is, incredibly fascinating. It’s critically endangered and known as the ‘panda of the forest’ due to its severe poaching. The tree’s status is dire,” Søren explains.

This encounter provided Søren Hoff Brøndum with the subject for his bachelor thesis (for which he received top marks). But more importantly, he forged a deep connection with Ernesto, who not only managed 1,050 hectares of rainforest but also had two wives and 22 children at the time.

“After meeting Ernesto, we shook hands on my commitment to help bring tourists to support their livelihood from the rainforest without cutting it down. And that’s what we achieved,” Søren Hoff Brøndum says.

Since then, he has flown to Ecuador no fewer than 27 times, spending a total of 3½ years in the country. And yes – he has also married Ernesto’s daughter, Ana, in the meantime, with whom he has a home in the village.

The Driving Force Behind Søren

A question arises during the conversation with Søren: What motivates a man from North Jutland to repeatedly travel to Ecuador to develop sustainability projects with the locals in the Amazon?

Perhaps the answer lies in love – love for the country, the forest, and the local people, with whom Søren formed a deep connection in his youth. Søren Hoff Brøndum describes the locals as living encyclopaedias of the nature they live in:

“When you’re in South America, it’s deeply fascinating. The locals’ knowledge of the forest and wildlife adds a whole new dimension to everything. It’s like having a living encyclopaedia that knows everything. It’s incredibly fascinating. Their deep connection with nature, which we’ve somewhat lost back home, is incredibly captivating.”

Equally important is Søren’s love for the forest. His projects in Ecuador are dedicated to creating sustainable income sources, ensuring that the locals have a livelihood without cutting down the Amazon rainforest.

A Life Between Denmark and Ecuador

Despite juggling numerous projects, Søren Hoff Brøndum maintains a steady life in North Jutland.

When he’s not engaged with his Ecuadorian initiatives, he works as a forest ranger in Frederikshavn Municipality, a role he has faithfully filled for 16 years. From Frederikshavn, he manages his South American ventures through 12 WhatsApp groups, staying in daily touch with the locals in Ecuador.

In our next article, we’ll dive into the specific sustainability projects Søren and his team are leading in Ecuador. From balsa wood production to fostering local economic growth, discover how a man from North Jutland is leaving a lasting impact on one of the world’s most precious and endangered ecosystems. Stay tuned.